Sheryl Knotts, left, and Terry Kreid get ready to deliver meals to their neighbors while navigating through darkened hallways Sept. 17 at Braesridge Senior Complex. Both women wrote down the apartment numbers of the residents they plan to visit on their arms. Meals were cooked by another neighbor, Sylvia June, under a carport. less

Sheryl Knotts, left, and Terry Kreid get ready to deliver meals to their neighbors while navigating through darkened hallways Sept. 17 at Braesridge Senior Complex. Both women wrote down the apartment numbers ... more

Elaine Anzaldua, left, and Joann Lounder, right, check the charge on Lounder's husband's electric chair as it charges from a generator outside the club house Sept. 17 at the Braesridge Senior Complex, while Dorietta Jones, center, waits in line to have her cell phone charged. less

Elaine Anzaldua, left, and Joann Lounder, right, check the charge on Lounder's husband's electric chair as it charges from a generator outside the club house Sept. 17 at the Braesridge Senior Complex, while ... more

First-grader Kiara Mena, right, and her younger sister Marley Mena help clean the kindergarten playground at Kolter Elementary School on Sept. 19 in Houston. About 200 volunteers, including parents, students, teachers and staff, helped clean up and get the school ready to resume class. less

First-grader Kiara Mena, right, and her younger sister Marley Mena help clean the kindergarten playground at Kolter Elementary School on Sept. 19 in Houston. About 200 volunteers, including parents, students, ... more

Volunteer Lydia Abuisi feeds a baby squirrel with a syringe Sunday at the Houston SPCA after the organization opened its doors to the Wildlife Rehab and Education Center. The center had power outages and over 200 squirrels were rescued by citizens during the aftermath of Hurricane Ike. less

Volunteer Lydia Abuisi feeds a baby squirrel with a syringe Sunday at the Houston SPCA after the organization opened its doors to the Wildlife Rehab and Education Center. The center had power outages and over ... more

Terry Panchot, left, helps Charles Cormier up onto the front porch of their Galveston home Sept. 13 after the steps washed away in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike. Panchot and Cormier's home took on nearly six feet of water, destroying everything in the lower floor of the home. less

Terry Panchot, left, helps Charles Cormier up onto the front porch of their Galveston home Sept. 13 after the steps washed away in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike. Panchot and Cormier's home took on nearly six ... more

Mike Allbritton purchases a chicken fried steak dinner from Katie Cruz (center) and Cathy Christie of Neal's Restaurant at a trailer set up in front of the restaurant. Although the restaurant was closed, they were selling the Chicken Fried Steak dinners from the trailer in the parking lot. less

Mike Allbritton purchases a chicken fried steak dinner from Katie Cruz (center) and Cathy Christie of Neal's Restaurant at a trailer set up in front of the restaurant. Although the restaurant was closed, they ... more

Denise Hager wipes away her tears while praying during the Epiphany Lutheran Church Sunday service Sept. 14 in Pearland. At the time, Hager's roof was leaking into every room, and she was waiting for her roof to collapse in her Silverlake Subdivision home. less

Denise Hager wipes away her tears while praying during the Epiphany Lutheran Church Sunday service Sept. 14 in Pearland. At the time, Hager's roof was leaking into every room, and she was waiting for her roof ... more

Ralph Hayes kisses Bobbie Davis, 79, who has been living at the Heights House at 20th and Heights for several years. Davis stayed through the hurricane, but she and several residents were without power and food, and Hayes helped out Sept. 14 by bringing them sandwiches and water. less

Ralph Hayes kisses Bobbie Davis, 79, who has been living at the Heights House at 20th and Heights for several years. Davis stayed through the hurricane, but she and several residents were without power and ... more

Photo: Karen Warren, Chronicle

Ralph Hayes kisses Bobbie Davis, 79, who has been living at the... Photo-1429314.24416 - Houston Chronicle

Image 17 of 31

Spring Branch ISD Chief Chuck Brawner is among those served chicken at Tully Stadium. Buses were staged and fueled in the stadium's parking lot and stood ready to transport evacuees as needed in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike. less

Spring Branch ISD Chief Chuck Brawner is among those served chicken at Tully Stadium. Buses were staged and fueled in the stadium's parking lot and stood ready to transport evacuees as needed in the aftermath ... more

Sigmund Hsu wields a chain saw while Kim Thompson picks up cuttings as parents and staff come together to clear tree branches and debris at the Fay School on North Post Oak Lane on Sept. 16. Both Hsu and Thompson are parents of Fay School students. less

Sigmund Hsu wields a chain saw while Kim Thompson picks up cuttings as parents and staff come together to clear tree branches and debris at the Fay School on North Post Oak Lane on Sept. 16. Both Hsu and ... more

Volunteer Rich Obrosky places a case of water in the trunk of a car as 11-year-old Kelly Gist brings another case Sept. 15 in Tomball. The volunteers were mostly distributing water but had some ice for a short time. less

Volunteer Rich Obrosky places a case of water in the trunk of a car as 11-year-old Kelly Gist brings another case Sept. 15 in Tomball. The volunteers were mostly distributing water but had some ice for a short ... more

Photo: Steve Campbell, Chronicle

Volunteer Rich Obrosky places a case of water in the trunk of a car... Photo-1429320.24416 - Houston Chronicle

Image 22 of 31

Volunteers hand out food, water and ice at a FEMA point of distribution Sept. 15 in Seabrook.

Volunteers hand out food, water and ice at a FEMA point of distribution Sept. 15 in Seabrook.

Photo: Eric Kayne, Chronicle

Volunteers hand out food, water and ice at a FEMA point of... Photo-1429321.24416 - Houston Chronicle

Image 23 of 31

A crew with Georga Power in Valdosta, Ga., Kevin Davis, left, and Vicky Biles, right, along with other utility crews and first responders were welcomed at Gaidos Restaurant along Seawall Boulevard on Sept. 18.

A crew with Georga Power in Valdosta, Ga., Kevin Davis, left, and Vicky Biles, right, along with other utility crews and first responders were welcomed at Gaidos Restaurant along Seawall Boulevard on Sept. 18.

Jackson Gaido, 10, waits on Jaime Aguilar, a mechanic with the City of McAllen as Gaido's restaurant served up a shrimp broil lunch Sept. 18 to first responders and utility crews who are helping clean up Galveston Island. less

Jackson Gaido, 10, waits on Jaime Aguilar, a mechanic with the City of McAllen as Gaido's restaurant served up a shrimp broil lunch Sept. 18 to first responders and utility crews who are helping clean up ... more

First responders and utility crews were welcomed at Gaidos Restaurant along Seawall Boulevard Sept. 18.

First responders and utility crews were welcomed at Gaidos Restaurant along Seawall Boulevard Sept. 18.

Photo: Johnny Hanson, Chronicle

First responders and utility crews were welcomed at Gaidos... Photo-1429324.24416 - Houston Chronicle

Image 26 of 31

White linen table cloths greeted first responders and utility crews along Seawall Boulevard as Gaido's restaurant served up a shrimp broil lunch Sept. 18 to those who are helping and cleaning up Galveston Island. less

White linen table cloths greeted first responders and utility crews along Seawall Boulevard as Gaido's restaurant served up a shrimp broil lunch Sept. 18 to those who are helping and cleaning up Galveston ... more

Huy Vo, 19, Yen Vo and Huynh Vu help Hai Tran fill out forms on the FEMA Web site Sept. 18 at the Vietnamese Martyrs Church near Almeda Mall. The church is offering both access to the internet and help with language barriers to the FEMA Web site for those needing to file for help after the hurricane. less

Huy Vo, 19, Yen Vo and Huynh Vu help Hai Tran fill out forms on the FEMA Web site Sept. 18 at the Vietnamese Martyrs Church near Almeda Mall. The church is offering both access to the internet and help with ... more

Sister Therese Cecilia, whose Vietnamese name is Do Thanh Huong, helps direct people affected by Hurricane Ike at the Vietnamese Martyr Church. Sister Cecilia said that the people coming into the church for help are, "...very humble. They are in need and they appreciate anything the government gives to them." less

Sister Therese Cecilia, whose Vietnamese name is Do Thanh Huong, helps direct people affected by Hurricane Ike at the Vietnamese Martyr Church. Sister Cecilia said that the people coming into the church for ... more

Regina Dawson leads Tierra down Bayshore Drive Sept. 15 in Bacliff. Dawson rescued the horse from a property where the owners had evacuated and left the horse behind. The horse had an injury to its left inside rear flank. less

Regina Dawson leads Tierra down Bayshore Drive Sept. 15 in Bacliff. Dawson rescued the horse from a property where the owners had evacuated and left the horse behind. The horse had an injury to its left inside ... more